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FCC Releases Net Neutrality Rules
In a recent speech at the Brookings Institution, the Chairman of the United States’ Federal Communications Commission (FCC) outlined the new net neutrality rules to be implemented by the FCC, making good on campaign promises to do so by President Obama. The Chairman’s speech focused on openness and referred to questionable practices by broadband providers, such as blocking access to VoIP applications, and denial of access to political content. The essential principles espoused are that Internet Service Providers (ISP) cannot prevent access to lawful Internet content, cannot prohibit the use of non-harmful devices on the network and cannot discriminate against particular lawful Internet content or applications. For example, an ISP cannot block or prejudice the operation of an Internet service because it is competitive with an offering of that ISP.
The FCC’s position will likely have a significant impact on the position that the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission will take this fall when it releases its position on the matter of net neutrality.
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